Cibola National Wildlife Refuge

Explorer. I think I’ll have to add it to my tagline. I’m happiest when I’m out there looking for new things, new places, new experiences. I’m walking across the desert looking down at the colourful rocks at my feet, looking across to the mountains in the distance, looking up to the birds flying above. Always waiting for the moment I hear something whisper to me “psssst … hey … over here …,” it’s my next photo calling me.

I know it doesn’t exist until I create it, but it seems to call me, not the other way around.

The exploring usually begins with a map where I look for nearby wild places – green areas where protected lands breathe, where the silence creates a peacefulness inside me, and where the sounds of wildlife awaken and call me.

My latest discovery is Cibola National Wildlife Refuge on the border between California and Arizona. It’s a desert oasis where the floodplain of the lower Colorado River provides critical wetlands for thousands of migratory birds making their way on the pacific flyway. Not only did it look like a beautiful place, but with a little research Ray and I discovered there is some BLM land right across the street where we could dry camp for free. What more could you ask? A beautiful landscape, great hiking, wildlife and free camping!

After getting the rig set up, it was time to watch. I always like to spend some time simply observing before I try to photograph a place. We sat outside for happy hour and saw the most amazing thing. Snow geese in groups of 20 or 30 birds would fly from the distance and land in one of the fields in the refuge. Over and over again, small groups landing in the field.

And then … all of a sudden … they all launched from the field into the air in a great cacophony of honking and squawking. They circled and swirled around overhead like a swarm of bees, back and forth, flashing their white feathers with each turn, and then they all landed in a nearby pond.

It grew quiet for awhile until slowly the honking started again, first a few birds quietly began, then more and more joined in the great orchestra until once again they all launched into the air.

Often it’s not about being in the right place at the right time, but being there for a long time. You need time to observe and find out where these magic locations are, and then you need time to be there and wait patiently for the special moment to happen.

Over the next few days, I went to the pond a few times to observe and wait and hope that the launch of a thousand snow geese would happen – and it did!

There is a short auto-tour road in the refuge where you can drive around some of the fields and watch the wildlife. Here you are not allowed to get out of your vehicle, so I sat in the bed of the truck while Ray drove around. That way I could photograph out of both sides and get an uninterrupted view.

There were Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, more Snow Geese, and even some Burrowing Owls.

Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is another fantastic addition to my list of places to photograph wildlife. And the best thing? There was hardly anyone else there.

Making the Images

This set of images is a little different than my other wildlife shots. Usually I use my Canon 7D with my 70-300 and 400mm lenses for wildlife. However, on my first outing on the auto tour loop road, I was having a problem getting accurate focus. Looking at the photos on my computer afterwards, I discovered that in fact most of the photos were out of focus. I did some testing of my equipment and found that only about 20% of my images are focussed properly.

While this was really disappointing, I only have myself to blame. I’ve neglected my equipment. I should have tested it before we came down south, but with everything going on in my life at the time, I didn’t. I haven’t had my camera serviced for ages and this kit gets bounced around pretty good on the boat during the summer. So when I get back to BC in May, I’ll have to ship everything off to Canon and get it sorted out. Also, my Canon 7D body is 8 years old now, so maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Yes, you read that right, it’s 8 years old!! I don’t upgrade my camera every time a new one comes out. It’s truly not about the gear.

In the meantime, I had to use my Sony mirrorless kit for my wildlife shots. The Sony does 11 frames per second, which is awesome for wildlife. The only drawback is that my longest lens is 210mm, so I didn’t get the close-ups I wanted. On the other hand, I ended up getting shots that included more of the landscape which gives a better feel for the place.

Great photos, Anne. We have a flyway in our area and we always wonder what makes the geese decide to suddenly fly up at one time like that. It is amazing to watch and photograph. Oh yes, then there’s the sounds that they make. It is truly an awesome experience.

You say that you normally shoot with a 400 mm. Do you use a teleconverter when shooting wildlife?

Hi Gladys, thanks for your comments, much appreciated! No, I don’t usually use a teleconverter. I rented one once but I didn’t like it. Too much of a hassle getting it on and off and I found it was difficult to use. I can’t remember now whether the problem was getting fast focus, or just finding the animal in the frame when at the longer focal length. It wasn’t working out for me anyway. The one I have is the 400mm f/5.6L.

Awesome pics, Anne! As a Arizona Office of Tourism Director, I’m more than a bit embarrassed that I haven’t been to the National Refuge. Your images have inspired me to change that. Keep up the great work!

Hi Vicki, yes, I did use the Sony A6000 mirrorless camera with the 55-210mm lens at 210mm. The settings are ISO 250, 1/200 second at f/8. I had it on continuous shooting mode high speed, which is what I usually do for wildlife. They move so fast! Hmmm… you mentioned that you were having problems photographing the birds when they are amongst thick tree foliage. Just guessing here, but I wonder if the problem might be focus because if you use one of the focus modes that has multiple focus points, your camera might be focussing on the tree and not the bird. Try using spot focus and see if that helps.

I have tried “flexible spot: S” focus (which I assume is what you mean – fourth down on the focus list on my Sony a6000) and I still can’t get it through thick foliage like my Canon DSLR (changing the 9 focus points to one point).

With the DSLR I can get the one focus point right on the bird’s eye through very thick foliage, but not so the Sony ‘mirrorless’. The Sony seems to focus on the immediate leaves surrounding the bird’s head.. I’ll try a higher aperture. The Sony takes a great shot in general though.

Having chronic lower back pain, I bought the Sony ‘mirrorless’ to use on days when my back hurts too much to carry the heavier DSLR & long telephoto lens etc.

I got the mirrorless for exactly the same reason and I figured I would only use it on the days my back hurt. But I like the mirrorless so much that I use it all the time now for landscape photography. I do go back to my DSLR for wildlife though because I have lenses with longer focal lengths. I’m not sure what to suggest for your focus problem on the Sony. If it were a DSLR I would suggest calibrating the camera to the lens, but I don’t think the Sony mirrorless cameras do that. So I would try a smaller aperture.

Nice work Anne! You’ve got a lot of mileage out of that 7d. I’ve had one for as long as you have and it’s been a workhorse. One of Canon’s best releases. If you decide to upgrade I’d recommend the 7d Mark II for wildlife, it’s taken a big leap forward with the AF system and faster burst rate and it’s built to take the weather as well as a mild beating! .

Thanks Kris! Yes, the 7D mark II is definitely the camera I would buy, no question. My 7D has been an amazing camera and it takes a beating all the time. This is only the second time I have ever had a problem with it, which is pretty good considering what I put it through. It’s probably full of dog hair or something, haha 🙂

Wow, thank you so much Anne for sharing these beautiful pics w/descriptions. It has been such a long winter here in S. Idaho & this really made my day special. I always look forward to your photography & tips. Love it!

Thank you so much Robert! I don’t envy everyone who has had a long winter. Winter is great on those days when it is snowy and bright, as long as there is just the right amount of it. Not too much and not too slushy!! I hope spring arrives for you soon.

Thanks Anne for sharing this amazing experience, while wildlife photography is not my cuppatea, perhaps lack of patience while waiting for the right moment, I always enjoy reading and viewing photos of fellow photographers captures. Your images are exceptionally gorgeous and such a pleasure viewing and learning of new places that I can add to my photo bucket list.
Who would’ve thought you had problems with your camera, it’s the end result that speak for itself. I totally agree that it’s not the gear that matters.

Thank you very much Tom! Yes, a long lens certainly does come in handy for wildlife. I was so disappointed that I couldn’t use mine for this location, but it worked out okay with just the 200mm on my mirrorless. Limitations just force you to be more creative!

Hi Anne I’m happy to hear from you after long time. .Feel with you the sorry feelings for your mom, it ,s really hard.
I thinking you are great , and I love very much your knowledge and teaching photography . I lean many things from you and your ebook.
Thanks for sharing this interesting knowledge.
All the best ilana

Love your newsletter and photos. Great suggestion on the wildlife refuge. I have added it to my list! As for your equipment, wondering if you have ever had the autofocus adjusted on your lenses (with your camera body). It can make a difference.

Hi Sandy, No, I haven’t had the focus adjusted, but that’s exactly what I want to have done when I send it off to be fixed. I’m just waiting until I get back to Canada so I can send it in. Glad you’re enjoying the blog! Thanks for your visit and comments.

Hi Anne,
I am a new subscriber. I really looking forward to learning from your ebooks and posts.
I am a Canadian (also have family in Naniamo, BC), but we spend our winters in Yuma, AZ which isn’t very far from Cibola. In fact I have been there a couple of times with my ATV. Thanks for the pictures and your written experience. It has inspired my to make a trip to there just for the photography.
Norm

Hi Norm, Well, between Nanaimo and Yuma we have a lot in common! We often go down to the BLM area on Ogilby Road near Yuma. You’ve probably been there on your ATV! Ray and I often wish we had ATVs to get around in the back country and explore places where the truck cannot go. Cibola was a great location for both photography and RVing, I’m sure we’ll be going back there next winter. Thanks for your visit and comments!

Your photos look a lot like some our group from the Denver area took in December 2016 at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in NM, which is along the Rio Grande about 2 hours South of Albuquerque. We also drove up Sandia Peak W of Albq to the Rosy Finch banding station at the top.

Hi Bert, I’ve been wanting to go to Bosque del Apache, but we never quite make it over to New Mexico in time for the birding season there. I’ll have to make a special trip sometime. I haven’t heard of Sandia Peak, so I’ll have to look that one up. Thanks for the tip!

Hello,
I have lived in Montana my entire life, and for the first time went to Freezeout Lake and watched the Snow Geese Migration. They are loud! And a helicopter flew overhead and the geese took flight. It was amazing. There were only about 15,000 geese when I was there. Next year I’ll go earlier. I love your work. Always have.

Hi Anne! You are as gifted at writing as you are at photography, in my opinion! Your story really draws the reader into your process. Excellent work on the captures as well!

I’m sitting in the BLM across from the Cibola refuge “as we speak.” First thing I did upon arriving was Google this post again! I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow morning bright and early. Thanks so much! Keep up the good work!

Thank you so much Rhonda, your comment about my writing and photography really means a lot to me. I hope you’re having a great time at Cibola and that the birds are all cooperating 🙂 I haven’t been there yet this year but I absolutely love that spot. Have fun!

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I’m Anne. This is my new life.

I traded in a traditional career for a new life as an outdoor photographer and writer. I live in an RV and travel around North America photographing beautiful places. I write about travel, photography, and how changing your life is not as scary as it seems. Read More…

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